Tom Brady Shoulder Injury Update: Expects to Play in Season Opener

Doesn’t it seem somewhat oxymoronic to see “Tom Brady” and “injury update” placed next to eachother? If there is one thing we have come to learn about the New England Patriots and injuries, it’s that there are rarely any updates worth listening to.

(And Browns fans, get used to it…it’s how things will be with Mangini in charge.)

But there is at least one source of information that you would have to assume is somewhat credible: the player himself.

If you are like me and expect a big season from Tom Brady in 2009, so much so that you drafted him high in a couple of fantasy leagues this year, you cringed when Brady got flattened by Albert Haynesworth in the Patriots’ recent preseason game against the Redskins. Brady left the game shortly thereafter, although Bill Belichick said that Brady was not removed because of any injury concerns.

Still, worry has lingered in New England and in fantasy football circles about the health of Brady’s shoulder. This morning, on his weekly Boston radio show, Brady did his best to assuage the concerns of Pats fans and Brady fantasy owners.

“I certainly am expecting to [play],” he said. “A lot of players have bumps and bruises. I’m expecting to play this week if coach lets me. Anyone that plays this game needs to be ready to play at less than 100 percent of perfect.”

As Tom Curran points out, implicit in Brady’s statement is an acknowledgement that he is indeed hurt. We obviously will never know the extent of the injury until we see whether or not it affects him in Week 1 against Buffalo.

For now though, it appears safe to keep Brady penciled into your Week 1 lineups. The risk associated with drafting him however, which was already high considering he still has to prove there will be no lingering effects of the knee injury, did just go up a bit.

It might not be a bad time to float some trade offers, especially if there are any known Brady lovers in your league. Though he has looked good in the preseason, that’s now two injury issues with a guy you need be a star for your team to win. Don’t give him up for nothing, obviously, but it might be prudent to see if someone is willing to give you really good value to take the risk off of your hands.